The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has welcomed today’s publication (7 January 2026) of the Department for Transport’s first Road Safety Strategy in more than ten years—a landmark moment for improving safety on Britain’s roads.

The new strategy sets ambitious targets, including a 65% reduction in those killed or seriously injured (KSI) on the roads by 2035, and a 70% reduction in child KSIs. It places the internationally recognised Safe System approach at the heart of government policy and reinforces the Hierarchy of Road Users first established in the Highway Code.

CIHT has long championed both approaches, and their inclusion marks a significant alignment between government direction and CIHT’s policy recommendations.

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT, said:

“This long awaited Road Safety Strategy represents a bold and necessary step forward. We are pleased to see the UK Government embed the Safe System approach and a clear hierarchy of road users—principles CIHT has consistently advocated for. These measures will help save lives, reduce harm, and ensure the UK leads the way in delivering a safer, more sustainable transport system for all. We look forward to working closely with the Department for Transport to turn ambition into action.”

A strategy built around people, safer streets and proven interventions

The government’s roadmap sets out four key themes that will shape future road safety activity across the UK:

1. Supporting road users
2. Taking advantage of technology, data and innovation for safer vehicles and post collision care
3. Ensuring infrastructure is safe
4. Robust enforcement to protect all road users

Headline measures include:

• A 65% reduction in KSIs by 2035, rising to 70% for children under 16
• A public consultation on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales
• Exploring the introduction of the use of preventative technology, such as alcohol interlock devices and expanded powers to suspend licences for suspected drink/drug driving
• Proposals for mandatory eyesight testing for drivers over 70, alongside potential cognitive assessments
• New measures targeting illegal and ‘ghost’ number plates

The strategy also makes the UK the first country to extend long term road safety targets beyond 2030, aligning national ambitions with the UN’s Global Road Safety Agenda for the next decade.

Supporting knowledge, transparency and safety improvements

The strategy highlights the importance of specialist resources, including the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) and its new Knowledge Sharing and Incident Network, bringing experts together to advance safety standards across the bus industry.

CIHT continues to provide thought leadership on the Safe System, including its report: Progressing the UK towards Safe System Implementation.

CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with the Department for Transport and the wider UK Government in improving the safety of England's roads and ensuring that the country's transport network is fit for the future.